Colin Linden "Rich In Love"

I moved back to Nashville recently, because I believe the folks in the music biz here are the ones who are birthing the future of the industry. Amongst them is Joe Kelly, who has worked hard for the last three years building a new way to monitor airplay at radio stations. This week, CDX TRACtion announced that I will be joining them as the chart director of a brand new radio chart, TRACtion Texas, serving the Texas Red Dirt radio stations in Texas, Oklahoma, and beyond. I am so excited to be launching this new venture, which will provide a home for the music of many artists we have filmed for Music Fog through the years. The chart debuts on Wednesday, July 6th, less than a week away!

In a lifetime of being a tumbleweed, I can’t count all the times that people have asked me where the best place I ever lived was. I can narrow it down to two states, Texas and Tennessee. Difficult to say for sure, because I have lived in some mighty beautiful places!

Don’t know if you have been following the drama caused by ABC dropping the show Nashville. Happy to say the new season will indeed happen, as Nashville moves to CMT. That is especially good news for our friends in the cast and crew, including Colin Linden. He plays the tasty music parts that you hear on the show, as he is the Musical Director. His career is the stuff of Renaissance Men: he has recorded solo and with his band, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, which Music Fog was honored to capture in 2011 at AmericanaFest. Colin is a prolific record producer, and guitar slinging sideman for the likes of Bob Dylan, Bruce Cockburn, Emmylou Harris, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. He is badass.

Here is the Music Fog recording of the title song to his latest album, Rich In Love, filmed in January at Backstage @ 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville.

- Jessie Scott

Stephanie Urbina Jones "El Camino De Mi Vida"

A weekend in Texas. Wheels down at DFW, and a drive down I-35 to Waco for yesterday's Wade Bowen MusicFest and the Bowen Classic Golf Tournament today. Lots of friends here to raise money for the Bowen Family Foundation, who have named March of Dimes as their 2016 beneficiary. Young and old running around with cool "Wade Bowen Loves Babies" T-shirts. Stoney LaRue, Reckless Kelly, Micky & The Motorcars, Cody Canada & The Departed, Jamie Lin Wilson, Courtney Patton, Jason Eady, Randy Rogers, .38 Special, Parker McCollum, Pat Green, Ray Benson, and more, on hand at Indian Springs Park on the banks of the Brazos for a beautiful day. And of course, the catering came from my two favorite foods groups, Texas Barbecue and Tex Mex. There is something mystical that happens wherever I find myself in Texas. I don't know if it's the endless sky, the wide open spaces, or the warmth of the folks I get to hang out with, but it is mighty special.

Today we salute Texas daughter Stephanie Urbina Jones, whom we filmed with Patterson Barrett back in January at 3rd & Lindsley Backstage. Though she makes Nashville her home now, her music cuts a wide Lone Star State swath, combining singer songwriter traditions with fiery Tex Mex. She is celebrating a birthday this week, as well as doing a show during CMA Fest this Thursday at Manuel's. And always, always, she is working on new music. Our Music Fog video today is "El Camino De Mi Vida (I Want You There)." Powerful stuff indeed!

- Jessie Scott

Gary Nicholson "Soft Spot"

The last Monday in May is upon us, the day Americans set aside to honor those who gave their lives in defense of our democracy. A moment of silence here as we honor them. Respect, civility, and compassion are seemingly lacking in today’s hyper political climate, where soldiers are lauded, but not taken care of when they return from service. Though Veteran’s Day is later in the year, I want to tell you about some artists who give back in a unique way.

Back in November, I met Mary Judd, the Executive Director of SongwritingWith:Soldiers, at The Mansion On O in DC, along with founder and Creative Director (and friend) Darden Smith. The songwriters involved join as much for their expertise of craft as their ability to collaborate. The idea is to translate the Vets’ struggles with the aftermath of combat into songs. The reality is when those songs come to life they evoke a flash of universality for the listener. And the acceptance, the ability to communicate, provides a bridge to healing. Contributions of time and love come from Radney Foster, Jay Clementi, Darrell Scott, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Ashley Cleveland, Marshall Crenshaw, Mary Gauthier, Brad Parker, Georgia Middleman, Greg Trooper, and Gary Nicholson. Many of these folks are friends, and some have even graced the pages of Music Fog, like Gary, whom we filmed the first time at AmericanaFest in 2011.

Gary Nicholson is a GRAMMY© Award winning songster. He writes impeccably hooky music, sometimes salty and sometimes sweet. He is setting out for a Texas tour in June, including a few dates with his side blues project the Whitey Johnson Band. Go see him; his music will enrich your life. Music Fog caught back up with him at the end of January at 3rd & Lindsley Backstage in Nashville, where he was joined by maestro Colin Linden. Today’s video is one of compassion from Gary Nicholson. You may start hearing this song at rallys, as Presidential candidates campaign over the next few months. Here's “Soft Spot.”

- Jessie Scott